KAJO-KEJI – The Ugandan incursion into South Sudan’s Kajo-Keji County on July 28, which killed five South Sudanese soldiers, has also displaced about forced more than 5,000 people out of their homes at the border area.
An assessment visit by Kajo-Keji County Commissioner Jackson Wani Mule on August 3rd, found that the displaced households are 1,000, thus the individual count is estimated at around 5,000 considering the average household size of five people.
Commissioner Wani led a high-level delegation to areas affected by recent displacement to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground and gather firsthand information on the impact of recent armed confrontations involving the UPDF and SSPDF, his office said in a statement.
“Currently, over 1,000 households have been registered as internally displaced, with expectations of more as some community members remain in hiding,” it added.
The IDPs are reportedly sheltering in six locations: Logo and Sokare (Episcopal Diocese of Liwolo)in Liwolo, Payam while Mereguga, Bori Primary/ secondary School, Wota-kujong, and Sunyu are in Bori Boma of Kangapo II Payam.
The commissioner’s office also said three unaccompanied children have been spotted among the displaced, with two taking refuge at the Episcopal Diocese of Kajo-Keji in Romogi, while the other one is hosted by a neighbor in Sunyu IDPs center.
Ugandan incursion
Five South Sudan security officers were killed by heavily armed Ugandan soldiers who attacked their post at Bori Boma, Kangapo Payam in Kajo-Keji County on Monday, authorities say.
Wani said the servicemen were killed in what he calls a surprise attack by UPDF in an incursion into the South Sudan side of the border. He said an assessment found five bodies of personnel of the joint operation of the SSPDF.
Addressing the IDPs, Wani encouraged them to “remain calm, avoid retaliation, and share available resources.”
He said the South Sudan government was working diplomatically to address the situation and mobilize relief support.
